Olympus E-P5 vs Sony A68: A Comprehensive Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right camera is one of the most important decisions for photographers at any level. Two popular models often considered are the Olympus E-P5 and the Sony A68. They both fall into the entry-level category but come from very different design philosophies and offer distinctive strengths and compromises. Drawing on extensive hands-on experience testing thousands of cameras, this detailed comparison evaluates their performance across all photography disciplines, technical features, and real-world usability. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which camera suits your creative journey best.

First Impressions: Design, Build, and Ergonomics

Olympus E-P5: Classic Rangefinder Elegance

The Olympus E-P5 embraces a rangefinder-style mirrorless design, making it compact and lightweight at just 420 grams. Its body measures 122 x 69 x 37 mm, making it highly pocketable and a great choice for those valuing portability. The tilting 3-inch capacitive touchscreen with 1037k dots adds versatility for shooting at creative angles and navigation. However, it lacks a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), offering an optional external EVF instead.

• Pros:

  • Compact, stylish, and lightweight
  • Responsive touchscreen interface
  • Sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization for improved handheld shooting

• Cons:

  • No built-in viewfinder, limiting composition options in bright outdoor conditions
  • Smaller grip area may feel cramped for larger hands

Sony A68: Solid DSLR Feel and More Substantial Ergonomics

In contrast, the Sony A68 exhibits a compact DSLR design with a more substantial presence at 610 grams and dimensions of 143 x 104 x 81 mm. Its body feels robust and comfortable for extended handheld shooting sessions, with a deep grip and easy access to control dials. The 2.7-inch tilting LCD screen is smaller and lower resolution (461k dots) and lacks touchscreen functionality. However, it boasts a high-resolution electronic viewfinder with 1440k dots and 100% coverage, enhancing your composing experience significantly.

• Pros:

  • Built-in high-resolution EVF with full coverage
  • Comfortable, substantial grip and tactile controls
  • Classic DSLR design preferred by many photographers

• Cons:

  • Heavier and bulkier than the E-P5
  • Smaller, non-touchscreen display

Both cameras lack weather sealing, so additional care is needed in harsh environments.

Control Layout and User Interface

Olympus’s minimalist approach on the E-P5 puts emphasis on quick access to essential controls including shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation dials. The touchscreen further complements controls with tap-to-focus and menu navigation. However, button illumination is absent, which can obstruct usability in low-light conditions.

The Sony A68 provides classic DSLR button placement, with dedicated buttons for white balance, ISO, and drive mode. The top screen adds quick glance exposure information, valuable in fast-paced shooting. While it misses touch input, the physical dial and buttons deliver predictable and precise control.

Sensor and Image Quality: Four Thirds vs APS-C

Here we hit one of the most defining differences:

The Sony A68’s larger APS-C sensor coupled with 24 megapixels contributes to superior image detail, better low-light performance in real-world conditions, and wider dynamic range. This means the A68 can capture richer color gradations and retain more highlight and shadow detail, which especially benefits landscape, portrait, and professional work where subtle tones matter.

The Olympus E-P5’s Four Thirds sensor is smaller, resulting in a more cropped field of view (focal length multiplier 2.1x compared to A68’s 1.5x). While the 16MP resolution is adequate for standard prints and online sharing, it’s generally less suited to large-format or crop-heavy workflows.

However, the E-P5 compensates with sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization, greatly aiding handheld shooting sharpness, especially at slower shutter speeds or when using legacy lenses without optical stabilization.

Display and Viewfinder Experience

The E-P5’s tilting 3-inch touchscreen provides excellent flexibility for creative composition (high/low angles), convenient tactile focus point selection, and intuitive menu control. Its higher resolution enhances image review and live view clarity.

By contrast, the Sony A68’s tilting 2.7-inch LCD lacks touch, and its lower resolution hampers detailed review, but is serviceable. The A68’s built-in electronic viewfinder shines here - its bright, detailed 100% coverage makes framing in bright sunlight or fast-action scenarios much easier, something mirrorless cameras with no built-in EVF struggle with.

If you rely heavily on an EVF, the A68 offers a significant practical advantage for outdoor and sports use.

Olympus E P5 front Olympus E P5 screen back Sony A68 front Sony A68 screen back

Real-World Photography Performance Across Genres

Let's talk about how these specs translate into practical results for various photography types, informed by extensive side-by-side testing.

Portrait Photography

• E-P5: The Four Thirds sensor’s depth of field is inherently deeper, meaning it’s more challenging to achieve very shallow DOF and creamy bokeh with typical lenses. However, Olympus’s excellent lens lineup includes some fast primes offering beautiful skin tones. The 9fps burst mode and reliable face detection aid dynamic portrait sessions.
• A68: APS-C sensor and 79 focus points (15 cross-type) give superior subject isolation and precise eye detection AF. The 24MP resolution and broader dynamic range capture nuanced skin tones with smooth gradations, ideal for studio and outdoor portraits.

Landscape Photography

• E-P5: Decent 16MP resolution and good dynamic range make it workable. The compactness suits hikes, but limited weather sealing can be a concern. Sensor stabilization helps with long exposures handheld.
• A68: Higher resolution and superior dynamic range yield more detailed images with richer tonality. The DSLR-style grip aids stability, but bulk and lack of weather sealing remain drawbacks.

Wildlife Photography

• E-P5: Burst rate of 9fps is respectable; however, contrast-detection AF with 35 points limits fast, accurate tracking of erratic subjects.
• A68: 8fps frames per second with hybrid AF featuring 79 points (phase-detect included) deliver markedly better subject tracking, essential for wildlife.

Sports Photography

• E-P5: Strong 9fps burst but slower AF tracking accuracy in fast-moving scenes.
• A68: 8fps with phase detection AF and 79 focus points provide solid performance for capturing action sequences.

Street Photography

• E-P5: Lightweight body, silent shutter capabilities, and flip screen make it discreet and versatile for street shooters.
• A68: Bulkier and louder shutter deter some street photographers; however, reliable AF and viewfinder benefits excel.

Macro Photography

• E-P5: Sensor stabilization and touchscreen focusing hints aid macro work, though no dedicated focus stacking.
• A68: Lack of sensor stabilization means reliance on tripod or stabilized lenses.

Night / Astrophotography

• E-P5: Higher score in low-light ISO and 5-axis stabilization assist handheld night shots, but lower resolution can limit star detail.
• A68: Larger sensor shines in low light but requires tripod for sharp astrophotography.

Video Capabilities

• E-P5: Full HD 1080p at 30fps, H.264 codec, no microphone port limits external audio, making it basic for casual video.
• A68: Full HD 1080p at 60i, 30p, and 24p, with AVCHD, MPEG-4, and XAVC S formats plus an external microphone port, offering better audio capture options.

Travel Photography

• E-P5: Compact size, light weight, and built-in stabilization are travel-friendly.
• A68: Heavier and larger but better suited for diverse shooting thanks to sensor and AF.

Professional Work

• E-P5: Supports RAW capture, has decent color depth, but limited weather sealing and EVF limit professional reliability.
• A68: Also supports RAW with higher resolution and better dynamic range. Robust ergonomics and EVF better meet professional workflow needs.

Autofocus Systems: Detailed Technical Assessment

The Sony’s hybrid autofocus system benefits wildlife and sports photographers, while the Olympus is adequate for portraits and general use but limited for action.

Lens Ecosystem and Mount Considerations

• E-P5 (Micro Four Thirds Mount): With 107 lenses available, Micro Four Thirds offers one of the richest and most versatile lens lineups. Native Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party options cover everything from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, many compact and affordable. The crop factor (2.1x) means lenses become longer equivalently, which is great for telephoto but can challenge wide-angle coverage.

• A68 (Sony Alpha Mount): The Sony/Minolta Alpha mount offers approximately 143 lenses, including Sony’s extensive APS-C range and A-mount lenses from Minolta. Adaptable to many older Minolta and third-party lenses, the system is mature but less compact than Micro Four Thirds. At 1.5x crop, it balances wide and telephoto options well.

Both systems offer options across price points; lens choice is critical depending on your main photography focus.

Build Quality, Battery Life, and Connectivity

The Sony A68 excels in battery life, an important practical factor for longer shoots and travel. The Olympus scores with built-in Wi-Fi for fast sharing, though the A68’s Eye-Fi compatibility means external cards are needed for wireless.

Summary Table: Olympus E-P5 vs Sony A68

Final Recommendations: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose the Olympus E-P5 if you:

• Value compact, lightweight gear for street and travel photography
• Prefer a modern touchscreen interface
• Want excellent sensor stabilization for handheld shots
• Shoot mostly portraits, everyday scenes, and casual video
• Prefer the Micro Four Thirds ecosystem and its compact lenses
• Are on a tighter budget

Choose the Sony A68 if you:

• Need a larger sensor with higher resolution and better dynamic range for print, landscape, and professional work
• Desire fast, accurate autofocus with extensive focus points for wildlife, sports, and action photography
• Value a built-in high-quality electronic viewfinder for bright conditions and quick composition
• Require longer battery life for extended outdoor shoots
• Want more advanced video options with external mic support
• Are okay with a heavier DSLR-style body and willing to spend more

Bringing It All Together: Making Your Best Choice

Both the Olympus E-P5 and Sony A68 offer compelling packages with different priorities. Our hands-on testing shows the Sony A68 edges ahead in image quality, autofocus performance, and professional usability thanks to its APS-C sensor and hybrid AF system. However, Olympus’s classic rangefinder style, superb sensor stabilization, and touch interface make it uniquely suited as a highly portable creative tool for enthusiasts and beginners focusing on convenience and style.

In your buying journey, consider the kind of photography you pursue, how much weight and size you can comfortably carry, and whether you prioritize video, autofocus speed, or portability. Trying each body in hand, if possible, offers valuable insights. Pair your camera with lenses that inspire you - after all, the right glass is just as crucial as the camera itself.

Explore Further

• Check out sample images from both cameras to see real differences in color and detail.
• Experiment with autofocus systems in camera stores or rentals, especially for fast-moving subjects.
• Look into accessories: an external EVF for the Olympus or lightweight zooms for the Sony.
• Join photography communities online for user feedback and tips specific to your desired camera.

Selecting your next camera is an exciting step in your photography adventure. Whether it’s the compact finesse of the Olympus E-P5 or the versatile power of the Sony A68, both can produce stunning images and support your creative growth. We hope this comparative review helps you make an informed, confident choice that matches your passion and workflow.

Happy shooting!